Copycat Kelp Recipes on a Budget

     Any Neopet can learn how to fish as long as they have patience. While some fish take a lot of skill to catch, even a beginner can reel in a variety of tasty seafoods. Whether you’ve been angling for years, or if this is your first time picking up a fishing rod, you’ll be able to make a gourmet meal out of almost anything you can reel in.

      COCKTAILS

     Cornupepper Lemonade

     Ingredients: Leminty Elixir of Healing, Healing Springs Residue, Inferno Mollusk

     Aside from being useful in the Battledome, most healing elixirs have a surprisingly delicious taste. The Leminty Elixir has a beautiful citrusy aroma, and the Healing Springs Residue provides effervescence. Simply mix the two potions together, then infuse with a pinch of diced Inferno Mollusk to mimic the cornupepper’s heat.

     Seaweed Surprise

     Ingredients: Shimmery Seagrass, Prismatic Sea Fern, Giant Kelp

     This healthy cocktail is a blend of three different varieties of seaweed. You can mix the greens in any ratio, though keep in mind that each has a different taste. The shimmery seagrass is the sweetest, the prismatic sea fern has hints of tart berry, and the kelp, regardless of colour, is grassy. Although most people claim that kelp is inedible, it tastes surprisingly good when blended with the sweeter seaweeds. For best results, strain the drink after blending.

      APPETIZERS

     Ocean Delight Salad

     Ingredients: Giant Squid, Tanglepus, Inferno Shrimp, Prismatic Sea Fern, Rotten Beetroot

     You can use any type of giant squid as the star of this seafood salad! Chop the squid, shrimp, and tanglepus, then saute over medium heat. Carefully cut the outer layer of the rotten beetroot until you find the fresh beet at its core. Julienne the beet, mix with shellfish, and serve over a bed of prismatic sea fern.

     Not sure which squid to use? The small giant squid has the most tender tentacles, but its mild taste can easily be overpowered. The titanic giant squid has an intense flavour, however, it tends to be extremely rubbery and will need to be marinated for several hours to soften it up. The large giant squid offers the best of both worlds—hopefully you managed to catch one!

     Pate A La Kelp

     Ingredients: Giant Brown Kelp, Prismatic Sea Fern, Shimmery Seagrass, Darigan Seaweed (optional), Spongy Algae

     Did you know that, due to a quirk of genetics, some Neopets think Darigan seaweed tastes like dung? Other Neopets enjoy the flavour, which is similar to curried spinach. Depending on your pet’s preference, you may want to leave the Darigan seaweed out of this recipe.

     Boil the algae until it forms a gelatinous syrup—this will bind the pate together. Chop the kelp, sea fern, seagrass, and seaweed, then mix together with the algae syrup. Spoon the mixture into your fanciest bowl and chill for at least two hours. The pate can be served hot or cold and will keep for up to one week in the refrigerator. This is the perfect dish for vegetarians!

      MAIN COURSES

     Ocean Platter

     Ingredients: Catch of the Day, Shimmery Seagrass

     This versatile entree can be made with almost any combination of fish found at the Vortex. In my opinion, the lesser spotted fish is the most delicious of the common catches, but it doesn’t matter which fish you cook–generous use of shimmery seagrass makes even a blandfish taste good! If you’re experienced at fishing, the Neopet-eating carp has a robust, gamey flavour, but you must be extremely careful when you reel it in. Whatever fish you use, you will need to cut it into large filets and then crust them with finely chopped seagrass. Grill or bake the filets.

     NOTE: Doomfish, Bombfish, Rockfish, and Madfish are only suitable for adventurous palettes.

     Filet of Beef

     Ingredients: Old Rotten Boot, Butterfish

     Rotten boots can easily be transformed into a succulent protein. The Maraquan sea has tenderized the “meat” and infused it with the perfect amount of salt. Cut the upper part of the boot into steaks. Searing the steaks in a pan of melted Butterfish gives this dish a rich flavour. This is a fantastic option for Neopets who are learning how to fish, since boots are much easier to catch than most of the Vortex-dwelling creatures.

      DESSERTS

     Coral Cake

     Ingredients: Breadfish, Butterfish, Magic Crystalline Kelp, Rotten Beetroot

     The trickiest part of this recipe involves pulverizing the magic crystalline kelp–I recommend using a Ridiculously Heavy Battle Hammer! The crushed kelp is sweet enough to be used as a sugar substitute. Melt the butterfish in a large bowl, crumble the breadfish into it, and add the kelp.Grate the core of rotten beetroot into the mixture. The beet gives this cake a subtle earthy flavour and a dramatic crimson colour. Whisk ingredients together until it is the consistency of cake batter. Bake at 350F for 30-35 minutes.

     Kelps Signature Ice Cream

     Ingredients: Magic Crystalline Kelp, Butterfish, Spongy Algae

     Break the kelp into small pieces. Cook the butterfish, kelp, and algae in a saucepan over medium heat until it comes to a boil and the kelp is dissolved. Vigorously stir the mixture for ten minutes, then freeze until solid. The ice cream can be topped with your choice of fresh fruits, sauces, or chopped nuts…but if you want an authentic Maraquan flavour, eat it plain and savour the delightfully creamy taste of butterfish.

      Whether you’re hosting an Under the Sea theme party or indulging in a luxurious family dinner, these copycat Kelp recipes will be sure to please even the toughest critics. Why wait months for a reservation and shell out millions of neopoints when you can create the taste of Maraqua in your very own kitchen? Five-star dining has never been easier–or cheaper! Bon Appetit.